Redskins Fear Griffin Might Have Torn ACL

Tuesday

Jan 8, 2013 at 12:01 AM

It doesn't sound good for Robert Griffin III. An injury that sidelines RG3 well into next season is a very real possibility — or at least it seemed that way Monday after coach Mike Shanahan described the results of tests on the rookie's right knee.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASHBURN, Va. | It doesn't sound good for Robert Griffin III.

An injury that sidelines RG3 well into next season is a very real possibility — or at least it seemed that way Monday after coach Mike Shanahan described the results of tests on the rookie's right knee.

Shanahan said the results are prompting the team to send Griffin to Florida today to see renowned orthopedist James Andrews for more examinations, essentially a second opinion that will decide the team's fate for the 2013 season.

"There is a concern," Shanahan said. "That's why he's going to see him."

Griffin tore his ACL while playing for Baylor in 2009, and Shanahan said that old injury caused Griffin's latest MRI to prove inconclusive and produce "differences of opinion" in those who have looked at it.

"They want to take another look and have a physical exam with him," Shanahan said, "to make sure they're not looking at old injuries."

A torn ACL typically requires a rehabilitation period of nine to 12 months, although some players don't return to full health until their second season after the injury. On the other hand, one of this season's most remarkable stories was Adrian Peterson, who returned about eight months after tearing an ACL and nearly broke the NFL's single-season rushing record.

Notably, Shanahan referenced Peterson on Monday, pointing out that the Minnesota Vikings back had the big season without the benefit of an offseason practice program. It could be a possible scenario for Griffin.

Browns

CLEVELAND | The Browns have circled back in their coaching search after a wild weekend out West.

Now into their second week looking for the team's sixth full-time coach since 1999, Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner are assessing the candidates they've already interviewed and setting up meetings with others on their radar.

On Sunday, the Browns eliminated Oregon coach Chip Kelly as a candidate because of his hesitancy about jumping to the pros, a person with knowledge of the team's meeting with the 49-year-old told the Associated Press. The Browns questioned whether Kelly "was committed to coming to the NFL," said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the search.

The Browns met for seven hours in Arizona on Friday with Kelly, and were closing in on a deal when he agreed to keep scheduled meetings with Buffalo and Philadelphia.

At the end of a whirlwind 48 hours, the Browns backed off from Kelly, who has decided to return to Oregon, two people with knowledge of his plans told the AP.

It's the second time in two years Kelly has flirted with leaving college before choosing to stay with his supersonic Ducks, who have gone 46-7 with a high-scoring, warp-speed offense he designed. He has taken the school to four straight BCS bowls.

At this point, there doesn't appear to be any front runner to fill Cleveland's coaching vacancy. Last week, the Browns are known to have interviewed former Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, Syracuse coach Doug Marrone and Penn State coach Bill O'Brien.

Seahawks

RENTON, Wash. | Pete Carroll said the Seattle Seahawks are still awaiting the results of an MRI on the injured left knee of defensive end Chris Clemons.

Speaking on his weekly radio show on 710 KIRO-AM Monday morning, Carroll said the team is concerned about the injury suffered by Clemons early in the third quarter of Sunday's 24-14 playoff victory over Washington. Clemons was not hit on the play and appeared to get his cleats caught in the turf at FedEx Field.

Clemons led Seattle with 11½ sacks in the regular season. He had two tackles against the Redskins before being injured.

Dolphins

DAVIE | Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said years of instability in the coaching and quarterback jobs are over, and the team's losing should end soon, too.

Speaking with reporters Monday, Ross said he was pleased with the work of first-year coach Joe Philbin and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, even though the Dolphins went 7-9 to finish below .500 for the fourth consecutive season.

Philbin was hired a year ago as a first-time head coach and Miami's seventh coach in eight years.

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